2 track question

A local radio station is revamping their setup, going all digital. They have an Otari MX-50 that he said I could take off their hands cheap, maybe like 100 bucks. It gets a yearly service, and he said they probably haven't even used it in 5 years, but they kept up on service "just in case". It's clean as can be. He said he'd even throw in a stack of tape (some unopened boxes). Is this a decent 2-track to pick up? I'd like to have something decent analog-wise in my current all-digital setup.

Otari's were "nice", but... no Ampex 440's they(Or even 350's)... Under hard(Ding-headed disk jockey) broadcast use they tended to go down quite alot with minor problems - Knobs fell off, buttons popped out, take-up arms bent, lights didn't light, etc. - they just weren't terribly rugged. But, for you, alone, with "an owner's touch", one could do well and last a long time. Their abilities were "good", sound-wise. Be gentle, keep them maintained, run good tape through them(Good luck finding some?). You should have alot of fun...

TG

ATR, the people who make "fancy" reel machines, in York, PA, say they are getting into the tape making biz..? Maybe there will soon be a ready supply? Keep an eye on their web site.

BTW: Long as you're at the station anyway... Ask about any "other" old - junky - outdated stuff they may have "laying around"... I have found vintage mics, processors, etc., that no one has any clue or care as to what they are or why... You might find some genuine gems for nearly nothing... Just don't get to breathing really hard or screaming or crying or anything when you discover an old RCA ribbon mic being used as a door-stop, or an LA-2, propping up a computer monitor, someone might catch on that it's worth something....! Also, don't forget to ask the engineer if you might, quietly, view their "personal stash" of goodies... When I asked a long-time engineer friend whether he made sure to get all of his personal tools and equipment when he retired, he said "Yeah, I got all of mine... and some of theirs...". And he did......

They actually have lots of cool stuff that they aren't getting rid of. They have a knowledgable engineer there so they're not just tossing out anything that looks old. They have a really nice RCA 44-DX there, in great condition, a CBS Labs Audimax 3 (transistor I think, no knobs), and some other crazy old stuff. This is a Christian AM station on an island in AK, most stuff has been there since the place was started back in the dinosaur days or something.

Whatever they do get rid of, I believe I'll have one of the first shots at it.